Session: 12-06-02: Condensation and Phase Change Materials

Paper Number: 172853

Characterization of Phase Change and Heat Transfer Processes of Phase Change Material Under Partial Loading 

At present, fossil fuels contribute to a significant portion of global power production, with this demand expected to continue to grow. Renewable energy production, such as solar energy, presents a viable alternative towards clean generation; however, the output of renewables is often intermittent, dependent on variations in outdoor conditions. Energy storage systems are critical in managing this energy demand and integrating renewable energy sources such as solar. Thermal energy storage (TES) systems are of interest due to their high storage density, simplicity, and environmental friendliness. These systems store and release energy in the form of heat. Latent heat based thermal energy (LHTES) is one such system, utilizing the enthalpy of phase change of the storage material, referred to as a phase change material (PCM). LHTES systems are advantageous over sensible heat based systems due to the increased energy capacity provided by the phase change. Although capable of storing large amounts of energy, the PCMs used in LHTES systems typically are poor thermal conductors, significantly impacting the charging and discharging rates. Furthermore, the phase change is transient in nature, making the heat transfer process complex and challenging to analyze. Considerable research has been conducted to study the phase change and heat transfer processes in LHTES systems, primarily analysing various geometries or improving heat transfer methods. However, these studies focus almost exclusively on the full cycle charging/discharging of the TES. In practical situations, an energy storage system is used on demand, not necessarily in full charge/discharge cycles. Additionally, these patterns are expected to vary depending on the application. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the processes that occur as a PCM is partially charged/discharged, and how this affects the performance of a TES system. Current studies on the effect of partial loading on a PCM are limited, and experimental studies lack the detailed investigation into the physical phenomena that a PCM undergoes during partial loading.

The present study seeks to experimentally investigate the thermofluid behavior of a PCM undergoing partial melting and freezing. The TES unit is configured as a quasi 2-D rectangular cavity with one vertical wall used as a heat source and heat sink to study both melting and freezing, respectively. Reservoirs of water kept at a controlled temperature transfer heat to and from the vertical wall. Measurements are conducted at various partial phase change stages under different heating and cooling conditions. The fluid velocity fields within the liquid PCM are measured using particle image velocimetry (PIV), and temperature fields of both solid and liquid phases are obtained through thermal imaging. Detailed results will be presented.

Presenting Author: Lucas Basile University of Western Ontario

Presenting Author Biography: Lucas Basile completed a Bachelor's in Engineering Science in 2025 at Western University in London, Canada, and is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering specializing in thermofluids at Western University

Authors:

Lucas Basile University of Western Ontario
Kyle Teather University of Western Ontario
Kamran Siddiqui University of Western Ontario